Opinion

Buried at the heart of all great children's literature, even the loveliest and most innocent, is a thread of darkness. This was ever true of books by Judith Kerr, beloved author of "The Tiger Who Came To Tea," the Mog the Cat stories, and "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit," who has died aged 95.

On Wednesday night a violent tornado tore through Missouri, destroying portions of the state's capital and leaving at least three people dead. The deadly storm comes on the heels of at least 21 tornadoes reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas earlier this week, putting more than 17 million people at the risk from flash flooding and destructive winds.

On Memorial Day weekend, John Kirby salutes Private Charlie Nease, a veteran of the World War II battle at Anzio, and a man who like many in his generation didn't want to take credit for all he accomplished

The message arrived as we were passing through airport security. A US returnee from ISIS-held territory needed help. Reintegrating back into his American community was not going well. His past was doggedly blocking his prospects for the future. And the same drivers that often push people into extremist groups -- isolation, trauma and societal marginalization -- were weighing on him once again.